Some time ago, a friend's PC refused to start. She couldn't figure out the problem and the computer was an old piece of crap (BIOS claims it's from 2004), so she simply bought a new one. Because I'm entirely too nice, I offered to try to rescue the old hard drive so she could have her data.

Main objective:Assuming the hard drive isn't outright broken, should I be able to get the data from it if I simply hook it up to another PC as a slave device?

Optional objective:What might be wrong with it? I give the computer power; it comes up with the "Windows failed to start; How do you want to start? Normal Mode/ Use Last Successful Settings/ etc." page. No matter what mode I select, it thinks about it a little, acts like it's starting to load, then restarts.

By mashing Delete after picking a startup mode, I was able to get the BIOS to come up, but I didn't figure out anything from it.

"Oh, you have promise. But wait until you have more years fall upon you, and you will see what a shell your heart will become."
-Kreia

Main objective:Assuming the hard drive isn't outright broken, should I be able to get the data from it if I simply hook it up to another PC as a slave device?

This should work, assuming the hard drive itself isn't significantly damaged. I've also heard you can freeze the drive - literally put it in a plastic bag, seal it and stick it in your freezer overnight then take it out and put it in a PC that should give you enough time to get the data off of it.

Otherwise if that doesn't work try this:

DL a Linux Live CD and burn the ISO to the CD. Insert CD. Go into BIOs and tell it to boot to the CD first, follow what it tells you.

When it comes up the bad drive should show up on the desktop from there copy/paste what you want to a flash/usb drive.